Accountability Must Begin Where Power Resides

The effectiveness of governance is ultimately measured not by the promises made by a government but by the standards it applies to itself. In Balochistan, the decision to activate the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT) and the Anti-Corruption Department for stronger oversight of public projects represents an important step towards institutional accountability and improved service delivery.

What makes the initiative particularly significant is the decision of the CMIT to begin reviewing the quality and execution of development schemes in the constituency represented by the Chief Minister of Balochistan himself. Development projects are funded by public money and are intended to provide lasting benefits to citizens. Their quality, cost, timely completion and adherence to approved standards therefore require continuous and impartial scrutiny, regardless of where a project is located or who represents that area.

Beginning inspection in the Chief Minister’s own constituency carries a broader institutional message: accountability should not be selective. If public institutions are expected to examine the performance of departments, contractors and development schemes across the province, the same standards must apply to areas politically associated with the government’s leadership. This approach can help strengthen public confidence in the principle that the law and administrative rules are to be followed without discrimination.

The activation of the CMIT and Anti-Corruption Department can also contribute to addressing a longstanding challenge in Balochistan: ensuring that development expenditure translates into tangible public benefit. Roads, schools, hospitals, water supply schemes and other infrastructure projects cannot be judged merely by the release of funds or completion certificates. Their actual quality and functionality must be assessed on the ground. Independent inspection can identify weaknesses in construction, deviations from approved specifications, delays and other administrative or technical shortcomings, allowing corrective measures to be taken where necessary.

At the same time, effective accountability requires institutional safeguards. Inspections should be conducted according to established procedures, technical standards and documentary evidence. Findings should be properly recorded, concerned departments and contractors should be given an opportunity to respond where appropriate, and action should follow the applicable laws and rules. Such a process ensures that accountability remains an institutional mechanism rather than becoming a political instrument.

Balochistan faces considerable development challenges, and scarce public resources make responsible expenditure especially important. Every rupee spent on a development project carries an obligation to deliver value to citizens. Strong monitoring can discourage negligence, improve the quality of public works and encourage departments and contractors to adhere more closely to approved standards.

The decision to scrutinise projects in the Chief Minister’s own constituency therefore has significance beyond a single inspection exercise. It places the principle of accountability at the centre of governance and demonstrates that oversight mechanisms should operate across political and administrative boundaries.

For Balochistan, the real test will be continuity. Inspections must not remain occasional exercises; they should become part of a consistent system of monitoring, reporting and corrective action. When accountability is applied transparently, professionally and without discrimination, it can strengthen institutions, protect public resources and help ensure that development reaches the people for whom it is intended.

Good governance begins with a simple principle: public authority carries public responsibility. Applying that principle equally, including in areas represented by those in power, is essential for building trust and strengthening the rule of law.